What’s in your Bag? I am sure a lot of essential stuff and if you have an iPod, you should have an iPod protecting and controlling bag.

Voltage Bags, a Smart Fabrics Asia Pacific owned bag brand has top quality, gorgeous looking, iPod and iPhone controlling bags you will fall in love.

Made of high quality materials and full of features you would expect from an high-end messenger bag or backpack. Both Voltage bag models come with the brand new 5 Button Linear CONNECTEDwear iPod controls from Fibretronic which have a low profile design allowing seamless integration into the shoulder strap. Fibretronic’s new keypad design gives a soft but distinctive ‘click’ feeling confirming that you have pressed a button.

The five button controls on both bags include the functions: On/Off/Play/Pause, Prev/Next and volume Up/Down. The new Voltage bags work with all 30-pin iPods including iPod touch and iPhone. Currently the Voltage bag controller only operates the iPod part of the iPhone and does not allow to make/answer calls, something that would be on my ‘must have’ list in a next version.

Setting up the Airplane/iPod mode on the iPhone is easy, check out the detail instruction on the Voltage FAQ page.

The Voltage Messenger bag comes in three color ways – Black/Red, Orange/Pistachio and Beige/Blue – available directly by Voltage for US$119.-

Voltage’s Backpack comes in the colors Black/Red and goes for US$139.- available directly by Voltage.

The Voltage bags look hot and we will test drive carry one soon. Check back again and read our first hand review.

I am ‘borrowing’ part of my headline from an initiative of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum in New York City which run last year an exhibition called: ‘Design for the other 90%‘.

This exhibition touched on the fact that most cutting edge technological developments are accessible to only 10% of the world population while the other 90% does not have the means to operate them because there is no electricity available in remote areas.

Addressing this issue, a team at KVA MATx under the lead of Sheila Kennedy , Principal at KVA MATx has developed a concept using textiles with integrated flexible solar panels to convert sunlight into electrical energy, providing a completely self-contained source of renewable power and light, the Portable Light.

At the time the Portable Light concept has been developed it was ‘revolutionary’ as the use of flexible solar panels was very new.

Flexible solar panels can be integrated into ‘everyday products’ like bags or blankets minimizing the materials needed to create a portable power generator. The electricity is stored in the integrated battery which drives two high brightness LEDs giving people in remote areas reading and working light after sunset or allow them to charge other essential electronic devices.

A brilliant idea that could indeed bring the other 90% of the world population delight into their homes.

Two years later, flexible solar cells in bags and even in clothing became reality as the many wearable solar products featured on talk2myShirt show.

Only, the relative high cost of flexible solar panels will make solar bags accessible to the 10% part of the population and I am afraid not to the 90% which very likely will not have the money required to buy solar bags.

Sure, a torch and a pair of batteries would be cheaper but the materials used to produce the torch are less sustainable than textiles. The batteries have to be replaced frequently and will fill up the landscape, polluting the environment.

The idea of using ‘everyday’ products like bags and upgrade them to a Solar Power generator with illumination is great. Accessible to some right now for remote camping places but not yet to the ‘Other 90%’.

Finding a usable WiFi signal is becoming an everyday routine for many of the ‘always connected’ net-citizen. Knowing if you are in a so called ‘hot spot’ means taking out your Laptop and check if the signal is good enough for a quick surf on the net.

Luckily there are more convenient ways to make the hot-spot check. For one, you could go for the WiFi T-Shirt or buy one of the newly launched Wiffinder™ bags from Soyntec®

Soyntec® a Spanish company focusing on digital consumer electronics and computer peripherals and bringing together state-of-the art technologies with amazing designs, has started to launch a range of bags that have a WiFi sniffer integrated.

Integrating is a smart idea, no need to clutter your key ring or bag with yet another item and no danger that you loose the little WiFi checker that is, as long as you don’t loose your entire bag which is less likely than a small WiFi detector unit.

The integrated WiFi signal detector works with 2.4G, 802.11b/802.11g networks and has as additional bonus a clock. Press a button and the detector will lock around for a signal gives the strength of the signal.

Powered is the detector by 2x CR2032 Lithium Batteries. The detector is only active for a few seconds when the button is pressed, just long enough to look for a signal and show it’s strength. I guess the batteries will last for quite some time.

Soyntec® has four models in their program: the Urban Bag, Executive Case Bag, University Backpack and Trolley Suitcase (from left to right).

The Urban Bag (my personal favorite for it’s good look) and the University Backpack are available now for $ 63.30 each. The other two models will become available on February 11.

All bags are made of Nylon high density material and fits laptops up to 15.4″ (17” for the Trolley Suitcase).

A great idea packed in a stylish design, this WiFi detector is less geeky and more discrete yet sophisticated than the WiFi T-Shirt which is more for the fun loving net-citizen.

Check out Soyntec’s online store for more details.

[geekalerts via gizmodo]

Noon Solar, a company we have covered here before, has lifted the curtain and launched their new solar bag collection.

I can only say: beautiful, stylish looking bags that have the meaningful use of our scared resources as their main objective.

The new Solar Bag collection from Noon Solar is the proof that fashion goes very well with technology.

This gorgeous looking bags have been designed with the end in mind: carefully chosen materials for their sustainability, longevity, and beauty combined with the use of natural pigments and by hand-dyeing the fabrics in house gives Noon Solar’s bags the variations which makes each bag a one-of-a-kind.

The Autumn collection comprises two chic tote for women, the Cortland tote which comes in Black or Chocolate and cost $ 383.-

My style favorite is the Willow tote in Steel (below right) but it is also available in Chocolate for just $ 274.-

Noon Solar has a satchel for the boys as well, the Logan which comes in Black as well as in Chocolate, available for $ 412.-

All three models are made of Bavarian, chrome-free, vegetable tanned and dyed, full-grain cowhide leather, hand shibori dyed hemp/cotton fabric with natural pigments and naturally dyed hemp cotton lining.

The two-sided design of all three bags allows the solar panel to face the sun or your body but in any orientation, the bags look always as being on the ‘right’ side. A nice design twist which shows great care for details.

And the technology? Of course there is technology involved, a large solar panel that gives 7.2V and 300mAh which is able to handle many hand held devices. The power from the solar panel is stored in a power pack with a 3600mAh Li-ion battery that will charge your iPod or cell-phone with ease.

The solar panel needs sun for 6-8 hours to fully load this power pack but once full, you can top off your iPhone, iPod, and whatever else you have. During less sunny times you will still collect power, just a bit slower.

A very useful feature is the load indicator of the power pack which makes it easy to see how much power you have left or how much longer you should stay in the sun, or at least your bag.

Noon Solar bags allow you to incorporate renewable energy in your daily lifestyle. You can literally walk the talk in a very fashionable way.

Solar energy collecting clothing and bags are getting hotter every day. We found yet another Solar bag for your enjoyment and to help you taking care for the environment and yes, your beloved little iPod, iPhone, Blackberry and whatever gadgets you have at your disposal.

The designer bag POGO Solar produced by renown Berlin manufacturer Bagjack, who earned his reputation with highly durable messenger bags, integrates a flexible, specially designed solar module from Odersun AG.

The product specific solar module is laminated in film and converts sunlight into electricity, which is saved in a built-in battery. USB-compatible devices such as cell phones or MP3-players can be charged with the help of the “mobile plug” even when there is no sunlight.

The POGO Solar bag will be available in different colors for 149 Euro or 197 US$. Pre-order your bag now on www.odersun.de and get a 10% discount (134,10 Euros or 182 US$). No specific delivery date is set yet. We will watch out and give you an update as soon as the POGO bag is available.

Burton adds fun to your next beach trip or outdoor party with the Lil Buddy Cooler bag that fits perfectly a 12er pack of your favorite beverage. The zipper pull is designed in the form of a bottle opener – how considered and insightful.

But there is more to the Lil Buddy bag, it has a build-in iPod speaker system as well.

For the bold among our readers, the Mojave plaid version (on the bottom right) is the one to take. For more discrete types there is also the less loud True Black (center) and Dragon Jacquard (left) versions to choose from. The Lil Buddy bag is available by Burton for $ 54.95

Let’s get the party started with a cool drink and cool tunes, all coming from your Lil Buddy bag.

Solar cells in clothing and bags seems to be a hot trend nowadays. Hot literally, Solar cells like the hot sun shine to give their best performance = electricity and hot in trend. Environmental friendly, reduction in carbon foot print and cool looking.

Reware created the beautiful and very practical Juice Bag Beach Tote with integrated Solar panel to charge your gadget while you enjoy the sun and water on the beach.

The Juice Bag Beach Tote keeps your camera, cell phone and iPod charged. No worry to run out of power. Reware claims that most devices like iPod, cell phone, Camera can be recharged in 2-4 hours.

Cool idea just to think about it: charging your gadget while getting a nice tan.

The integrated flexible thin-film solar panel is made from heavy duty, natural canvas. The bag uses the company’s SolarSistem, which allows the solar panel to be easily removed for use separately from the bag, or when cleaning the bag.

The Bag Dimensions: 19″ wide x 15″ high x 11″ deep (48 x 38 x 28cm), enough space to get all your essential beach stuff into it. The Juice Bag comes with a universal CLA/Car Charger Female Socket for easy connection to your device via widely available car adaptors for your gadget.

You can make plenty of calls and photos without running out of battery power. The perfect vacation accessory.

Get your Juice Bag Beach Tote now from Reware’s online store for $249.99

[via: textually]

One of the most exclusive Men’s fashion houses, Dunhill, has joined the Wearable Electronic trend by introducing the Avorities™ Solar Panel Bag.

The solar panels on the side of the Avorities™ Solar Panel Bag charge a discreetly-concealed battery, with which the busiest of men can ready his favourite gadgets for immediate use – mobiles, BlackBerries, MP3 Players and digital cameras.

A set of adaptors makes sure that the battery can charge products from different brands. Made from black and grey nylon and trimmed with black leather, the Avorities™ Solar Bag is a multifunctional accessory for the high-performing dad.

The Avorities™ Solar Panel Bag is part of the Avorities™ collection created in anticipation of the demanding schedule of the business traveller . The fabric unique to Avorities™ has been developed to be lightweight yet durable, as well as scratch and stain resistant. This is combined with nylon covered zips, which makes then water resistant.

To help the organization of all the small portable business tool, the Avorities™ collection is equipped with well thought out pocketing, including open, netting and zip pockets, magnetic closures, iPod holes on selected styles, and adjustable shoulder straps and detachable shoulder pads.

Available exclusively on dunhill.com for $ 1,315.- not a bargain but – it’s a Dunhill after all.

[via: engadget]

Our Web-browser of choice is Firefox from Mozilla. It’s by far the most stable, platform independent and expandable Web-browser every created. The iPod is a well known portable audio player and one of our life enhancers during the long hours awake.

Now – where is the Wearable Electronic component coming in? This is not a blog about Web-browser nor about iPod, though the later is very often named here.

Mozilla offers in their online Store a Sound Bag! If you are happy with the Mozilla products you can express this and buy the merchandise from their shop. The sound Bag is one of the items.

Play your tunes in style with the Firefox G-Tech sound case and support the future of this great browser. Based on G-Tech’s own product, the iPod Shell with speaker, this shockproof case has built in speakers and is powered by 2x AAA batteries.

What’s holding us back to give our credit card info is the missing keypad from Eleksen that G-Tech uses on their Sound Shells.

Actually, the Firefox Sound Bag is not only for the iPod, any audio player with a 3.5mm headphone connector can be used. Unfortunately, this universality eliminated the great functionality of controls on the outside of the Sound Bag.

The front of the case is decorated with the Firefox wordmark in black. That’s not very exiting either. Why didn’t they use the great looking Firefox logo?

Dear Fox, it’s great that you go for innovative accessory items in your store but it would be even greater to use state of the art functionality – next time.

You can order the Firefox Sound Bag on Mozilla’s online store for $ 32.- We for our part wait until the improved version is available but then we will queue up overnight if needed to get one.

Summer means (usually) lot of sunshine. Sunshine is energy, energy that can be well used for the ever growing power needs for our ever more powerful gadgets like MP3 player, cell phone, PDA – just to name a few.

Noon Solar is an environmentally conscious company that started a unique line of handbags with integrated solar panels to charge portable electronic devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, and PDAs. With this line of handbags, Noon Solar creatively confronts the important issue of our culture’s dependence on non-renewable energy resources, and offers consumers a sustainable alternative.

By integrating solar technology into handbags, Noon Solar’s goal is to create interest for consumers in renewable power and integrate it into daily life. The handbags are more than a fashion statement, they are a personal statement about a commitment to sustainability, sensibility, and responsibility. Isn’t that a good reason to keep you walking on the sunny side of the street?

Each bag has a solar panel at the back that, when attached to an external battery pack, charges your iPod or cell phone as you walk or simply have your bag laying in a ray of light indoors or in your car. Made of biodegradable leather that’s been tanned with nuts and berries (as opposed to soil-polluting chromium), the bags are screen-printed with hemp and cotton fabric, lined with wool felt, and weatherproofed with a coat of beeswax. So they look good and do good.

Watch the creator and creation of the bags in the video below:

The current range sells for about $ 550,- but you need to contact them directly, the link on their Website to an online store does not work. Noon Solar’s Website is under construction as of this writing but they do state that a line of five styles will be available for Fall 2007.

A bit odd – fall is not the best time of the year to get lot of sunshine. Better hurry up Noon Solar and release them earlier